The Church of England’s governing body is meeting in York to try to find a way to introduce women bishops without driving Anglicans apart.

The general synod will discuss plans aimed at giving traditionalists enough exemptions from serving under a woman.

But liberals in the synod have said they will not accept any measure that dilutes women bishops’ authority.

There is also a growing row over a decision to block the appointment of a gay cleric as Bishop of Southwark.

Some of the traditionalists have threatened to convert to Roman Catholicism over the issue of female bishops.

At the centre of the row are plans for “extra” or “nominated” bishops appointed to look after those parishes which do not agree with the appointment of women.

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